419 scam: "Mr. Michael Williams" <noreply@dgi.cm> (M.T.C.N)967-115-5111:

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money transfer control number" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "i am using this medium to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- western_union323232@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Michael Williams" <noreply@dgi.cm>
Reply-To: officefile_0112@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2024 05:21:08 +0000
Subject: (M.T.C.N)967-115-5111:

Attention please

Western Union wishes to inform you that the United Nation and (EAST-Afri) have instructed us to send to you the sum of $10,500,000.00. $5,000.00 has already been sent to you as first collection Sender Information HERE IS THE Available MTCN for pick up below;

Sender First Name: Michael
Sender Last Name: Williams
MTCN: 967-115-5111
Test Question: When
Test Answer: 24 Hours
Amount: $5,000.00 USD

Go to any western union location and pick up the funds with the information given to you.
Send Your Name:
Address:
Phone Number:

Find below the information you would need in order to pick up your first payment of $5,000.00. You can also track your payment online with the link below to view the status of the transfer or visit https://www.westernunion.com/web/global-service/track-transfer the MTCN number correctly to view your payment status.

Money Transfer Control Number (M.T.C.N)967-115-5111
Senders Name: .........Michael Williams
Amount sent: -----$5,000.00 USD
https://www.westernunion.com/web/global-service/track-transfer
Sender's Name:
MTCN Number:

Be informed that you will have to pay the balance sum of your activation upon cashing up of your first $5,000.00 USD, also I am using this medium to inform you that failure to pay the $300 usd will leave us with no option but to deactivate your MTCN of which you will never cash up the balance sum I want you to send the renewing and transfer fee with the information below.

RECEIVER'S:
COUNTRY : Uganda, Kampala
ADDRESS :Plaza G07 Ci, PLOT 24/26 KAMPALA ROAD, Kampala
CITY: Kampala
Test Question: God is
Test Answer: able
Amount: S$300.00

send us the Card Copy immediately you send the money and immediately we confirm the transfer fee we will send you the first receipt of your $5,000.00 immediately. Note: The charges cannot be Deducted from our side for this is our mode of operation or manipulation. This is in accordance with section 13(1)(n) of the National Transfer Act as adopted in 2010 and amended on 3RD July 2014 by the constitutional assembly. This is to protect customers and to avoid misappropriation and crime.

Once again, Welcome to WESTERN UNION INTERNATIONAL MONEY TRANSFER
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Confidentiality Note:

Mr. Michael Williams
Email: western_union323232@hotmail.com
Remittance Dept. Western Union Uganda Constituency.
Western union money transfer.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam